[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 227 (Monday, November 25, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 64827]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-25433]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Proposed New Recreation Fees: Shawnee National Forest

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of proposed new recreation fees.

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SUMMARY: The Shawnee National Forest is proposing to charge new fees at 
six recreation sites. All sites are highly developed day use sites with 
significant infrastructure. They provide amenities and special 
opportunities that are beyond those typical of Shawnee National Forest 
day use sites. Fees are assessed based on the level of amenities and 
services provided, cost of operation and maintenance, market 
assessment, and public comment. The fees listed are proposed and will 
be determined upon further analysis and public comment. Funds from fees 
would be used for the continued operation and maintenance of these 
recreation sites. An analysis of the nearby state and private 
recreation opportunities with similar amenities show that the proposed 
fees are reasonable for the area.

DATES: Comments on the fee changes will be accepted December 26, 2019. 
Following the public comment period, the fee proposal will be subject 
to review and recommendation by the Eastern Region Recreation Resource 
Advisory Committee. If approved by the Regional Forester, 
implementation of new fees will occur no sooner than 180 days from the 
date of publication in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Lisa Helmig, Acting Forest Supervisor, Shawnee National 
Forest, 50 Highway 145N, Harrisburg, Illinois 62946.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Lecher, Shawnee National Forest 
Recreation Staff Officer, 618-253-7114. Information about proposed fee 
changes can also be found on the Shawnee National Forest website: 
https://www.fs.usda.gov/shawnee.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Garden of the Gods Recreation Area (Saline County, IL) already 
includes a fee campground (Pharaoh Campground). This proposal will not 
affect the campground fee but will institute a $5 per vehicle fee for 
the day use area associated with the quarter mile paved ``Observation 
Trail'' that leads visitors through unique rock formations and along 
the tops of the bluffs overlooking the Shawnee Hills and Garden of the 
Gods Wilderness Area.
    Pounds Hollow Recreation Area (Gallatin County, IL) includes the 
only non-concession-operated swim beach on the forest. Pine Ridge 
Campground is an existing fee site within the recreation area. This 
proposal is to institute a $5 per vehicle fee for the swimming beach 
and picnic shelter on Pounds Hollow Lake.
    Johnson Creek Recreation Area (Jackson County, IL) includes an 
existing fee campground (Johnson Creek Campground). This proposal will 
not affect the campground fee but would institute a $5 per vehicle day-
use fee for the boat launch on Kinkaid Lake.
    Pomona Boat Launch (Jackson County, IL) is a jointly managed boat 
launch on Cedar Lake. Pomona Township maintains the parking area and 
mowed grounds, while the Forest Service manages the launch, toilets, 
and picnic facilities. This proposal would institute a $5 per vehicle 
day-use fee for the boat launch area.
    Little Grand Canyon (Jackson County, IL) is a trailhead providing 
access to a National Natural Landmark area. This proposal would 
institute a $5 per vehicle day-use fee for the trailhead facilities.
    Bell Smith Springs Interpretive Site (Pope County, IL) provides 
access to a National Natural Landmark area. This proposal would 
institute a $5 per vehicle day-use fee for the interpretive site 
facilities.
    A Shawnee National Forest annual pass will also be created which 
will grant the holder year-round use of the recreation facilities at 
these day-use-fee sites. The cost for the annual pass is proposed to be 
$30, final cost will be determined through this public comment process 
and further analysis.
    The Federal Recreation Lands Enhancement Act (Title VIII, Pub. L. 
108-447) directed the Secretary of Agriculture to publish a six month 
advance notice in the Federal Register whenever new recreation fee 
areas are established. Once public involvement is complete, these new 
fees will be reviewed by a Recreation Resource Advisory Committee prior 
to a final decision and implementation.
    Revenue generated by the proposed fees would be used to leverage 
federal funding, grants, and partnership contributions to fund 
maintenance and upgrades to features and facilities such as toilets, 
docks and ramps, picnic tables and grills, parking lots and access 
roads, interpretive and informational signing, and to restore natural 
resources damaged by visitor use.

    Dated: October 29, 2019.
Richard A. Cooksey,
Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2019-25433 Filed 11-22-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P